Buffalo Wild Wings, the renowned chicken wing restaurant chain, has stirred the pot once again with its controversial pricing strategy. In a move that left many customers fuming, certain locations attempted to levy an extra charge of ninety-nine cents on takeout orders. The chain claimed it was merely a “test” to assess customer reactions, but this attempt to squeeze more money from patrons has raised eyebrows.

As of June 21, 2023, some Buffalo Wild Wings outlets embarked on this puzzling experiment, causing an uproar among their loyal customers. However, with the general public catching wind of the scheme, the chain is promptly shutting down this controversial trial.

A spokesperson for Buffalo Wild Wings explained, “Several Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants have trialed a takeout fee, which is transparently disclosed to guests before purchase. However, we have decided to end this test and will remove the fee by the end of this summer,” as reported by TODAY.com.

This recent development follows a class-action lawsuit that accused Buffalo Wild Wings of misleading its customers by imposing a hidden takeout fee. The lawsuit, filed on July 13, 2022, in the circuit court of Montgomery County, Maryland, alleged that the restaurant engaged in “false and deceptive” business practices.

Divane Pittman, the plaintiff, and a former loyal Buffalo Wild Wings customer from Lanham, Maryland, asserted that she had fallen victim to this clandestine fee when ordering takeout. She filed the complaint not only on her behalf but also on behalf of the “hundreds of thousands of Buffalo Wild Wings customers” who felt duped by the restaurant’s “misleading” menu prices.

The heart of the matter, as detailed in the class-action complaint, was that Buffalo Wild Wings was surreptitiously inflating food prices with a “Takeout Service Fee,” rather than offering a transparent list price that reflected the actual cost of the food. The lawsuit insisted that Buffalo Wild Wings was engaging in a form of stealth price hiking, jeopardizing the trust of its customers.

Furthermore, the lawsuit argued that no other restaurant in the same category resorted to such deceptive practices. Buffalo Wild Wings, on the other hand, employed the takeout fee as a “double-edged deception” to cheat its customers.

The lawsuit seeks class status and restitution for all customers who were subjected to the extra fee. It also demands reimbursement for any ancillary charges related to this deceptive tactic, such as taxes and associated fees. Most crucially, the lawsuit calls for an end to Buffalo Wild Wings’ use of the takeout fee as a means to mislead its patrons.

Divane Pittman has enlisted the representation of consumer protection lawyers from Golomb & Honik, P.C., a reputable national law firm based in Philadelphia. The attorneys at Golomb & Honik specialize in handling complex litigation, particularly class-action cases related to consumer fraud and false advertising. They argue that the restaurant’s deceptive pricing practices could potentially affect millions of customers who have unknowingly been exposed to the same fraudulent activities.

In response to the mounting pressure, Buffalo Wild Wings has chosen to rectify the situation and eliminate the contentious takeout fee. This course of action reflects the restaurant’s commitment to its customers and their satisfaction.

While this episode might have left a sour taste in the mouths of some Buffalo Wild Wings enthusiasts, it also serves as a testament to the power of consumer awareness and legal action in holding businesses accountable for their practices. In the end, transparency and fairness must prevail, ensuring that customers can enjoy their favorite meals without hidden surprises.

In the spirit of truth and fairness, Buffalo Wild Wings has taken a step in the right direction, acknowledging its mistake and making amends. This incident serves as a valuable reminder that consumers’ voices matter, and businesses should always prioritize their patrons’ trust and satisfaction above all else.